Self-propelled toy

ABSTRACT

A self-propelled toy characterized by the provision of a movable weight mass in the interior of the toy including power operated mechamism which is effective to move the mass rapidly from a first position to a second position of impact with the toy body to effect propulsion of the toy. The invention is embodied in a jumping doll, wherein the arms hold a jump rope and are operated in timed sequence with the movement of the mass in the doll body. As the mass is moved into impact with the doll body, the doll jumps relative to its supporting surface. At the same time, the arms are moved to pass the jump rope beneath the momentarily raised feet of the doll.

United States Patent [1 1 Terzian et al.

[ 1 3,744,182 [451 July 10, 1973 SELF-PROPELLED TOY 75 Inventors: Reuben T. Telliall; Marvin 1. Glass,

both of Chicago, Ill.

[22] Filed: Dec. 8, 1969 [21] Appl. No.: 882,908

[52] US. Cl. 46/247, 46/129 [51 Int. Cl. A6311 33/26 [58] Field of Search 46/247, 129, 145, 46/148, 136, 146; 60/7; 185/37 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,452,134 4/1923 Zaiden 46/ 136 1,654,336 12/1927 Lindstrom.. 46/136 1,661,093 2/1928 Rogers 46/ 136 1,918,122 7/1933 Naue 46/146 2,068,531 1/1937 Biume 46/136 1 2,894,356 7/ 1959 Campdera et a1. 46/ 136 2,945,321 7/1960 Carter 46/247 [1905 Doughetty 46/129 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 452,894 1949 Italy 46/129 170,400 1952 Germany 46/129 Primary Examiner-Louis G. Mancene Assistant Examiner-J. Q. Lever AttorneyHofgren, Wegner, Allen, Stellman & McCord ABSTRACT A self-propelled toy characterized by the provision of a movable weight mass in the interior of the toy including power operated mechamism which is effective to move the mass rapidly from a first position to a second position of impact with the toy body to effect propulsion of the toy. The invention is embodied in a jumping doll, wherein the arms hold a jump rope and are operated in timed sequence with the movement of the mass in the doll body. As the mass is moved into impact with the doll body, the doll jumps relative to its supporting surface. At the same time, the arms are moved to pass the jump rope beneath the momentarily raised feet of the doll.

14 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures SELF-PROPELLED TOY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to self-propelled toys wherein movement of the toy is effected by powered mechanism within the toy. More particularly the invention is directed to a doll which is operable to jump relative to its supporting surface while swinging a jump rope in timed relation to the jumping action.

Self-propelled toys have been popular for many years and various mechanisms have been designed to provide for movement of a toy along a supporting surface and- /or to provide for motion of a portion of the toy. Generally, such mechanisms combine an electric or spring motor which is drivingly connected with gearing, linkages, and the like to produce the desired resulting movement of the toy.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a novel means for effecting motion of a toy, which utilizes a sudden transfer from potential energy to kinetic energy within the toy as a means for effecting the motion desired. In the selected embodiment of a jumping doll, the movement of the doll is accomplished generally by combining a movable mass within the doll body with means for storing potential energy in such mass and then suddenly releasing the mass for motion relative to the doll to create a sudden impact with a portion of the doll body, so as to cause the doll to be elevated relative to its supporting surface. While the desired movement for the jumping doll is essentially a vertical direction, it will be appreci ated that the direction of motion of the doll can be altered by changing the direction of motion of the movable mass within the doll body.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a self-propelled toy wherein the propulsion of the toy is effected by rapid motion of a mass relative to the toy and terminating in an impact on the toy of sufficient magnitude to provide motion of the toy generally along the line of movement of the mass. A more detailed object of the invention is to provide a figure toy which is capable of jumping upwardly relative to a supporting surface in a predetermined sequence or rhythm. Another object of the invention is to provide a doll having relatively movable arms supporting a jumping rope, and motor operated meanswithin the doll which is adapted to provide generally vertical jumping movement of the doll in synchronization with the swinging movement of the jump rope, so that the latter passes beneath the feet of the doll on each jump. Other objects and advantages will be apparentfrom the following description of the preferred embodiment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the jumping doll, showing the position of the arms and jump rope immediately prior to the jumping action of the doll.

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the position of the arms and jump rope immediately after the jumping of the doll.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal, side sectional view through the body of the doll, showing the motor and other drive components in a cocked position just prior to imparting a jumping action to the doll and swinging of the jump rope beneath the feet of the doll.

FIG. 4 is a front, sectional view through the body of the doll, showing the drive components in the position seen in FIG. 3, with the uppermost position of such drive components being indicated by broken lines.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 5-5 in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken generally along line 66 in FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 3, except that it shows the drive components in the uppermost or impact position with respect to the doll body.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a modified form of the invention, illustrating a doll astride a stick-horse.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view of the doll body in the position seen in FIG. 8, illustrating the forwardly inclined axis of motion of the driving components.

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail specific embodiments therefor, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiment illustrated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIGS. 1-6 of the drawings, the doll 10 of this invention includes a body 12 having a hollow cavity 14 therein. Legs 16a and 16b are movably attached to the body and depend from the lower end of the body for engagement of the feet thereof with a supporting surface. Arms 18a and 18b project outwardly from the upper end of the body and at the top thereof there is provided a movably mounted head 20. In addition, a simulated jump rope 22 is connected to the free end or hand portions of the arm. Preferably, the jump rope is of a U-shaped configuration and is preferably generally rigid, although it is to be understood that a relatively flexible strand-like rope could be utilized also. Bracing members 24 and 26 span the interior of the cavity 14 of body 12 and may be of metal or other rigid material which is securely fastened to the body. One member, 26, also functions as a stop member for receiving impact as will be explained. Preferably, this member 26 is rigid relative to the body so as to not absorb any movement.

In the preferred embodiment of FIGS. l6, the arms, legs and head of the doll are movably connected to the body 12, with the arms being connected with the mechanism within the doll for movement thereby. It is to be understood that variations in these relative connections can be made without departing from the scope of this invention.

A generally box-like frame means 28 is movably mounted within the body cavity 14. A pair of spaced guides 30a and 30b spans bracing member 24 and 26 and each extends through openings in the frame 28 to provide means for guiding the reciprocatory movement thereof. Urging means, here shown .in the form of springs 32a and 32b, extend between the interior of frame 28 and identical spring seats 34 on each of guides 30a and 30b, only one of which is seen in FIG. 4, to provide a means for normally urging the frame upwardly to an impact position with stop member 26.

Means are provided for moving the frame away from the impact position towards a cocked position. This means for moving the frame includes a motor 36 and batteries 38 which provide a source of power for the motor through suitable wiring including an off-on switch 39 at the back of the doll. Both the motor and batteries are shown in the preferred embodiment as being secured to and movable with the frame 28. A removable cover 37 at the back of the doll affords access to the batteries. The motor drive shaft 40 is connected through a pinion 41 with a crown gear 42 forming part of a gear train 43 disposed within gear box 44 and also supported on frame 28. The rotatable gear train output shaft 46 projects outwardly through the forward wall 44a of gear box 44 and has fixed thereto a cam 48. In the illustrated embodiment, the cam 48 is a three point rotatable cam having spaced engaging surfaces 48a, 48b and 480 provided by pins projecting outwardly from the cam body.

A leg 52 having a bottom surface 52a depends from bracing member 26. The bottom surface 52a of leg 52 provides a wiping surface positioned to be engaged by one of the surfaces 48a, 48b or 480 of cam 48 during rotation thereof.

Vertical reciprocatory movement of the doll is accomplished as follows. As the motor is driven from the power of the batteries, the gear train 43 causes cam 48 to rotate. As the cam 48 rotates, the bearing surfaces 48a, 48b and 480 sequentially engage the underside 52a of leg 52. This engagement and rotation of the cam while one of the bearing surfaces wipes against surface 52a forces frame 28 downwardly in opposition to the urging of the springs 32a dnd 32b, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. When each one of the bearing surfaces 48a, 48b and 480 has wiped completely across surface 52a of leg 52, the springs 32a and 32b take over and rapidly and forcefully urge the frame 28 upwardly. Thus, the frame has been changed from a cocked state of stored or potential energy and released therefrom for movement relative to the doll body and toward an impact position of engagement with the stop member 26, as shown in FIG. 7. The resultant impact of the entire mass of the motor, batteries, gear train and their supporting frame structure with the brace 26 causes the body and related components of the doll to be lifted upwardly from the supporting surface, thereby providing a jumping action, which is repeated in timed sequence as cam 48 rotates.

The doll is further provided with means for moving the arms through a simulated rope skipping sequence. Eacharm 18a and 18b is connected to a shaft 56 pivoted through supports 58a and 58b on the top of bracing member 26. By this arrangement, the two arms are connected together for common swinging movement. A pinion 60 is connected medially of shaft 56 within the body cavity 14 and includes a flat portion 62. The teeth portion of pinion 60 is disposed for meshing engagement with the toothed edge of rack 64 which is connected to frame 28. Thus, as the frame 28 moves upwardly and downwardly responsive to the drive transmitted through cam 48 and the return motion established by springs 32a and 32b, the rack 64 will likewise reciprocate causing, through its engagement with pinion 60, rotational movement in shaft 56 which will be transmitted as a swinging movement to the arms 18a and 18b. The driving system is arranged such that when the cam 48 has driven the frame 28 downwardly to the fully cocked position, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the flat portion 62 of pinion 60 is disposed in a position facing the toothed edge of rack 64. This provides an interruption in the driving engagement between the two. It is at this moment that the cam 48 has wiped completely across the surface 52a of leg 52 and the springs 32a and 32b cause the rapid return of frame 28 and the mass carried thereby to a position of impact with brace 26. Thus, the rack 64 may move vertically upwardly with frame 28 through the disengagement with pinion 60 afforded by flat 62.

A pin 66 projects outwardly from shaft 56 in fixed relation to the interrupted pinion gear 60 and pin 66is positioned for engagement with upstanding finger 68 fixed to frame 28. During the rapid upstroke of frame 28, finger 68 will engage pin 66, causing shaft 56 to rotate for a portion of the path of disengagement of pinion 60 with rack 64, by means of flat surface 62, and thereby flip the arms 18a and 18b through that portion of the simulated rope swinging which takes place during the jumping motion, and then place the toothed portion of pinion 60 again in meshing engagement with rack 64, as seen in FIG. 7. This causes the simulated rope 22 to pass under the feet of the doll, as the doll is momentarily lifted from-the supporting surface due to the impact of frame 28 and its supported mass with stop member 26. As long as the motor remains operative, this action is repeated. Thus, the doll continuously swings its arms through a circular path and jumps from a supporting surface once during each revolution of the arms and simulated rope 22, to allow the rope 22 to pass under the legs 16a and 16b.

Since the jumping action of the doll 10 is a repetitive action, it is desirable to releasably hold the legs 16a, 16b in a fixed position of downwardly extending relation to the body 12, in order to avoid establishing an angular relationship therebetween which might affect the balance of the doll during jumping. This can be achieved in any suitable manner, such as the releasable locking detent structure seen in FIGS. 3 and 4. As

. noted in the drawings, the flange portion 70 at the upper end of each of the legs 16a, 16b is provided with one or more recesses 72 on the surface which contacts the doll body 12, and the body 12 is provided with at least one detent or protuberance 74 in position for seating in any of the recesses 72 to releasably hold the leg against turning movement relative to the doll body. For example, when detent 74 is positioned in recess 72a, the legs 16a, 16b are extended generally along the longitudinal axis of the doll body' 12 to provide-a standing or erect position for the doll. When the legs are turned to a sitting position for the doll, the detect 74 is seated in recess 72b, and when the doll is generally erect with the body inclined slightly forwardly the detent 74 is seated in recess 720.

Thus it is seen that the above described embodiment of the invention utilizes the transfer of potential energy to kinetic energy to provide for movement or propulsion of a toy. More particularly, the kinetic energy is provided by a movable mass within the body of a doll which is moved relative to the doll body to a position of impact with a fixed portion of the body and with sufficient force to effect movement of the entire doll structure relative to its supporting base. In the foregoing embodiment, the movement of the mass is generally along a vertical path, so as to produce essentially vertical motion of the doll when such mass strikes a fixed part within the doll body. It will be apparent that the resulting motion might be in a direction other than vertical, if the path of movement of the weighted mass is adjusted accordingly. For example, if the doll body is tilted forwardly of its supporting legs, with detent 74 in recess 72c (FIG. 3), to thereby place the direction of movement of the weighted mass carried by frame 28 along an axis inclined with respect to the vertical, the resulting movement of the doll will be forwardly as well as upwardly. Similarly, if the doll body is placed in a reclining position on the supporting surface and the weighted mass is moved through operation of the mechanism as described above, there will result a sliding or shifting movement of the doll along the supporting surface. Then too, it will be recognized that the placement of the center of weight of the movable mass carried by frame 28 also affects the movement of the doll as the weighted mass strikes the brace 26.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF MODIFICATION IN FIGS.

8 and 9 As a further example of the principle employed in this invention, there is illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 a modified form of the embodiment described above, wherein a doll 80 is provided in conjunction with a miniature stickhorse 82 to provide a three-point support for the doll. Doll 80 includes a body portion 84 having attached thereto relatively movable arms 86, legs 88, and a head 90. In this embodiment, the arms are preferably not connected with any operating mechanism within the doll body and are free to be positionable so that the hands of the doll embrace or grasp the stickhorse. Within the doll body 84 there is mounted mechanism 92 very similar to that described above with respect to FIGS. l-7, except for the absence of any connection of such mechanism with the arms of the doll.

More particularly, the interior of the doll body 84 is provided with two spaced-apart relatively rigid braces or platforms 94 and 96 having a pair of guide posts 98 fixed in position between the platforms as in the previous embodiment. A frame structure 100 is slidably carried by the guide posts for movement therealong, and the frame is biased into its uppermost position by a pair of coil springs 102 which encircle the guide posts and are disposed intermediate the upper part of the frame and a pair of retaining collars or seats 104 adjacent the lower part of the guide posts. As in the previous embodiment, the frame 100 supports a pair of batteries 106, a motor 108, and a gear train 110, with the latter being drivingly connected with a three-finger cam wheel 1 12. Cam 1 12 is identical to cam 48, with the fingers of the cam equally spaced around the axis of rotation of the cam wheel and positioned for engagement with the lower edge of an arm 114 depending downwardly from the upper bracket 96 in fixed relation thereto. The operation of the motor 108 is effective to drive the cam wheel 112, through gear train 110, so as to sequentially cause the pins on the cam to bear against the lower edge of the arm 114 and thereby depress the entire mass of the frame 100, including batteries 106, motor 108 and gear train 110, to its lowermost position within the body. As a pin moves away from engagement with the lower edge of arm 114 the entire movable mass supported by the frame moves rapidly upwardly into impact with the upper platform 96. As before, this impact of the weighted mass with the doll body efiects propulsion of the entire doll body in the direction of movement of the weighted mass.

With the combination of the doll 80 and stick-horse 82, wherein the rear wheel or trailing portion 116 of the stick-horse provides, with the feet 118, 120 of the doll, a three-point support for the doll, it is practical to tilt the doll body substantially forwardly (FIG. 9) and thereby achieve a resulting forward motion of the doll and stick-horse upon operation of the motor 108 under control of a switch 122. It will be understood that the resulting motion might be a combined action or movement upwardly and forwardly, wherein at least the feet of the doll momentarily leave the ground, or it might be primarily forwardly with little or no noticeable jumping motion of the doll. Such motion will, of course, be dependent upon the angle of incline of the doll body, the combined weight of the doll and stickhorse, and the magnitude of the impact of the weighted frame upon the platform 96 within the doll body. It will also be un derstood that a portion of the kinetic energy expended by the moving mass within the doll body can readily be utilized to achieve other motions for the doll if desired, as for example, in the case of the preferred embodiment wherein the arms are moved.

In order to maintain the doll 80 in position relative to the stick-horse 82 during the rythmic motion of the two, there is preferably provided a releasable connection therebetween. For example, in the illustrated embodiment the stick-horse includes a transverse pin 124 along an intermediate section of the stick which is adapted to frictionally engage a pair of detents or recess 126 formed in the facing side surfaces of each of the legs 88. Furthermore, the upper ends of the legs are preferably fixed in position relative to the body to maintain a predetermined angular relationship therebetween, as described in the preferred embodiment, by a detent 128 on the body engaging a recess 130 on the engaging portion of leg flange 132.

Although shown and described with respect to particular structure, it will be apparent that various modifications might be made with respect to such structure without departing from the principles of this invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A self-propelled toy adapted to stand freely on a support and jump relative thereto, comprising a housing, motor operated drive mechanism supported within the housing, said drive mechanism including a weighted mass supported for movement relative to the housing between a first and second position, said drive mechanism including means for storing potential energy in said mass at said first position and for releasing said potential energy to provide for rapid motion of said mass from said first position to said second position, said means for storing and releasing potential energy including an actuating member and a stationary member engageableby said actuating member, and stop means spaced from said stationary member and fixed to said housing and at said second position in the path of motion of movement of said mass to provide a stop for the latter, whereby the impact of said mass on said stop is effective to move said housing in the general direction of the motion of said mass.

2. A self-propelled toy as set forth in claim 1, including means providing for rhythmic motion of said mass between said first and second positions so as to provide for rhythmic, sequential motion of said housing in the direction of movement of said means and rhythmic sequential motion of said movable member.

3. A self-propelled toy as set forth in claim 2, wherein said drive mechanism includes an electric motor, a battery for supplying electrical energy to said motor, and

gearmeans drivenly connected with said motor, a frame supporting said drive mechanism for movement between said first and second position, spring means positioned to normally urge said frame toward said second position, and said rythmic motion producing means comprises cam means driven by said gear means and cooperable with a stationary element on said housing to move said frame and drive mechanism to said first position against the biasing action of said spring means and then release said frame for rapid movement to said second position.

4. A self-propelled toy as set forth in claim 3, wherein said toy comprises a doll having a head, hollow body portion, and leg membersdepending from said body portion, and said weighted mass including said battery powered drive mechanism is mounted in said body portion for movement lengthwise of said body portion and between first and second positions within said body.

5. A toy doll comprising, a body portion, arm members movably connected to said body, leg members depending from the body portion, power driven means within said body for imparting reciprocatory movement thereto and including an electric motor, a battery for supplying power to said motor, frame means supporting said motor and battery, means mounting said frame means within said body for guided movement between a first position and a second position within said body, spring means urging said frame means toward said second position, a stationary part in said body, said power driven means including an actuating element which is movable relative to a position of engagement with said stationary part in said body to intermittently move said frame to said first position and then release such engagement to permit movement of said frame to said second position under the influence of said spring means, a generally rigid stop means connected to the body in the path of travel of the frame,means and at said second position for receiving the impact of the frame supported mass following release thereof from said first position and movement thereof toward said second position under the influence of said spring means, whereby impact of the frame supported mass with the stop means is transferred as a reciprocatory force to the body of the doll to cause said doll to jump upwardly relative to its supporting surface, and drive means interconnecting the power driven means and the arm members for movement of the arm members in timed relationship with the movement of said frame supported mass and the reciprocatory force transferred thereby to said body.

6. A toy doll comprising a body portion having a hollow cavity, leg members depending from the body portion, a pair of arm members movably connected to the body portion by means of a shaft extending through the body, frame means movably mounted in the body cavity for movement toward and away from the leg members, the frame including motor means having an output shaft and a source of power for the motor means for driving the motor and the output shaft thereof, a cam member connected to the motor shaft for rotation therewith and having peripheral enlargements affording intermittent surface engagement means connected to the motor shaft for rotation therewith, an upper stop member in the body cavity above the frame means, spring means normally urging the frame means upwardly of the body toward the upper stop, a depending wiping surface connected to the upper stop means and being in the path of travel of the peripheral enlargements of the cam means, whereby rotation of the cam causes the peripheral enlargements thereof to engage the wiping surface and depress the frame means downwardly in opposition to the spring means until such time as the peripheral enlargements advance past the wiping surface, following which the frame means is driven to impact against the upper stop member by the spring means, said shaft supporting said arm members including gear means thereon having an interruption in the driving surface thereof, and gear means connected to the frame for engagement with the gear means on the shaft for rotating the shaft thereby.

7. The toy doll of claim 6, wherein the arm shaft includes a transverse extension within the body, and the frame means includes an upstanding finger positioned to engage the arm shaft extension during the up stroke of the frame means.

8. The toy doll of claim 6, including a simulated jump rope extending between said arm members with an intermediate portion thereof disposed to pass beneath the feet of the doll each time the doll jumps above its 1 supporting surface.

9. The toy doll of claim 8, wherein the arm members are fixedly connected to a shaft pivoted in the body, with the shaft having a driving surface engageable with a second driving surface connected to the frame for moving the arm shaft as the frame is moved relative to the body.

10. The toy doll of claim 9, wherein the arm shaft driving surface includes a release portion for releasing the driving connection with the second driving surface during movement of the frame to said second position.

11. An animated toy comprising a movable figure adapted to stand freely on a support and jump relative thereto and including a body, depending legs connected to said body and terminating in feet adapted to rest on said support, and opposed arms rotatably journalled on said body for rotation through a circular path of travel defining a rope-turning cycle and terminating in hands adapted to carry a simulated jump rope which passes beneath said feet when said figure jumps relative .to said support, and animating mechanisms in said body for jumping said figure and turning said arms in timed relation to each other such that said figure will jump rope in a free-standing position, said animating mechanisms including energy-storing means in said body movable through a loading motion to store potential energy and through an unloading motion to impart the stored potential energy to said figure to jump the same relative to said support, powered means in said figure for charging said energy-storing means, energyreleasing means operatively connected to said energystoring means for rapidly imparting said stored potential energy to said figure, arm-turning mechanisms operatively connected to said arms for rotating same through said circular path of travel, first coupling means interconnecting said armturning mechanisms with said powered means for turning said arms through aportion of said circular path of travel in response to said, loading motion and into a downwardly extending position in which said jump rope will be positioned to pass beneath said feet during the next portion of said rope-turning cycle and second coupling means interconnecting said arm-tuming mechanisms with said energy-storing means for rapidly turning said arms through said next portion of said circular path of travel in response to said unloading motion.

12. An animated toy according to claim 11 wherein said energy-storing means includes at least one spring.

13. An animated toy according to claim 11 wherein said powered means includes a battery-operated motor mounted in said body.

14. An animated toy comprising a movable figure adapted to stand freely on a support and jump relative thereto and including feet adapted to rest on said support and arms rotatably journalled for rotation through a circular path of travel defining a rope-tuming cycle, a simulated jump rope carried by said arms and arranged to pass beneath said feet when said figure jumps relative to said support and animating mechanisms for jumping said figure and turning said arms in timed relation to each other such that said figure will jump rope in a free-standing position, said animating mechanisms including energy-storing springs movable through a loading motion to store potential energy and through an unloading motion to impart the stored potential energy to said figure to jump the same relative to said support, powered means for charging said energy-storing springs, energy-releasing means operatively connected to said energy-storing springs for rapidly imparting said stored potential energy to said figure, arm-turning mechanisms operatively connected to said arms for rotating same through said circular path of travel, first means interconnecting said arm-turning mechanisms with said powered means for partially turning said arms through a portion of said circular path of travel in response to said loading motion and into a downwardly extending position in which said jump rope is forwardly of and positioned to pass beneath said feet and a second means interconnecting said arm-turning mechanisms with said energy-storing springs for rapidly turning said arms through the remainder of said circular path of travel in response to said unloading motion of said energy-storing springs. 

1. A self-propelled toy adapted to stand freely on a support and jump relative thereto, comprising a housing, motor operated drive mechanism supported within the housing, said drive mechanism including a weighted mass supported for movement relative to the housing between a first and second position, said drive mechanism including means for storing potential energy in said mass at said first position and for releasing said potential energy to provide for rapid motion of said mass from said first position to said second position, said means for storing and releasing potential energy including an actuating member and a stationary member engageable by said actuating member, and stop means spaced from said stationary member and fixed to said housing and at said second position in the path of motion of movement of said mass to provide a stop for the latter, whereby the impact of said mass on said stop is effective to move said housing in the general direction of the motion of said mass.
 2. A self-propelled toy as set forth in claim 1, including means providing for rhythmic motion of said mass between said first and second positions so as to provide for rhythmic, sequential motion of said housing in the direction of movement of said means and rhythmic sequential motion of said movable member.
 3. A self-propelled toy as set forth in claim 2, wherein said drive mechanism includes an electric motor, a battery for supplying electrical energy to said motor, and gearmeans drivenly connected with said motor, a frame supporting said drive mechanism for movement between said first and second position, spring means positioned to normally urge said frame toward said second position, and said rythmic motion producing means comprises cam means driven by said gear means and cooperable with a stationary element on said housing to move said frame and drive mechanism to said first position against the biasing action of said spring means and then release said frame for rapid movement to said second position.
 4. A self-propelled toy as set forth in claim 3, wherein said toy comprises a doll having a head, hollow body portion, and leg members depending from said body portion, and said weighted mass including said battery powered drive mechanism is mounted in said body portion for movement lengthwise of said body portion and between first and second positions within said body.
 5. A toy doll comprising, a body portion, arm members movably connected to said body, leg members depending from the body portion, power driven means within said body for imparting reciprocatory movement thereto and including an electric motor, a battery for supplying power to said motor, frame means supporting said motor and battery, means mounting said frame means within said body for guided movement between a first position and a second position within said body, spring means urging said frame means toward said second position, a stationary part in said body, said power driven means including an actuating element which is movable relative to a position of engagement with said stationary part in said body to intermittently move said frame tO said first position and then release such engagement to permit movement of said frame to said second position under the influence of said spring means, a generally rigid stop means connected to the body in the path of travel of the frame means and at said second position for receiving the impact of the frame supported mass following release thereof from said first position and movement thereof toward said second position under the influence of said spring means, whereby impact of the frame supported mass with the stop means is transferred as a reciprocatory force to the body of the doll to cause said doll to jump upwardly relative to its supporting surface, and drive means interconnecting the power driven means and the arm members for movement of the arm members in timed relationship with the movement of said frame supported mass and the reciprocatory force transferred thereby to said body.
 6. A toy doll comprising a body portion having a hollow cavity, leg members depending from the body portion, a pair of arm members movably connected to the body portion by means of a shaft extending through the body, frame means movably mounted in the body cavity for movement toward and away from the leg members, the frame including motor means having an output shaft and a source of power for the motor means for driving the motor and the output shaft thereof, a cam member connected to the motor shaft for rotation therewith and having peripheral enlargements affording intermittent surface engagement means connected to the motor shaft for rotation therewith, an upper stop member in the body cavity above the frame means, spring means normally urging the frame means upwardly of the body toward the upper stop, a depending wiping surface connected to the upper stop means and being in the path of travel of the peripheral enlargements of the cam means, whereby rotation of the cam causes the peripheral enlargements thereof to engage the wiping surface and depress the frame means downwardly in opposition to the spring means until such time as the peripheral enlargements advance past the wiping surface, following which the frame means is driven to impact against the upper stop member by the spring means, said shaft supporting said arm members including gear means thereon having an interruption in the driving surface thereof, and gear means connected to the frame for engagement with the gear means on the shaft for rotating the shaft thereby.
 7. The toy doll of claim 6, wherein the arm shaft includes a transverse extension within the body, and the frame means includes an upstanding finger positioned to engage the arm shaft extension during the up stroke of the frame means.
 8. The toy doll of claim 6, including a simulated jump rope extending between said arm members with an intermediate portion thereof disposed to pass beneath the feet of the doll each time the doll jumps above its supporting surface.
 9. The toy doll of claim 8, wherein the arm members are fixedly connected to a shaft pivoted in the body, with the shaft having a driving surface engageable with a second driving surface connected to the frame for moving the arm shaft as the frame is moved relative to the body.
 10. The toy doll of claim 9, wherein the arm shaft driving surface includes a release portion for releasing the driving connection with the second driving surface during movement of the frame to said second position.
 11. An animated toy comprising a movable figure adapted to stand freely on a support and jump relative thereto and including a body, depending legs connected to said body and terminating in feet adapted to rest on said support, and opposed arms rotatably journalled on said body for rotation through a circular path of travel defining a rope-turning cycle and terminating in hands adapted to carry a simulated jump rope which passes beneath said feet when said figure jumps relative to said support, and animating mechanisms in said body for jumping said figure and turning said arms in timed relation to Each other such that said figure will jump rope in a free-standing position, said animating mechanisms including energy-storing means in said body movable through a loading motion to store potential energy and through an unloading motion to impart the stored potential energy to said figure to jump the same relative to said support, powered means in said figure for charging said energy-storing means, energy-releasing means operatively connected to said energy-storing means for rapidly imparting said stored potential energy to said figure, arm-turning mechanisms operatively connected to said arms for rotating same through said circular path of travel, first coupling means interconnecting said armturning mechanisms with said powered means for turning said arms through a portion of said circular path of travel in response to said, loading motion and into a downwardly extending position in which said jump rope will be positioned to pass beneath said feet during the next portion of said rope-turning cycle and second coupling means interconnecting said arm-turning mechanisms with said energy-storing means for rapidly turning said arms through said next portion of said circular path of travel in response to said unloading motion.
 12. An animated toy according to claim 11 wherein said energy-storing means includes at least one spring.
 13. An animated toy according to claim 11 wherein said powered means includes a battery-operated motor mounted in said body.
 14. An animated toy comprising a movable figure adapted to stand freely on a support and jump relative thereto and including feet adapted to rest on said support and arms rotatably journalled for rotation through a circular path of travel defining a rope-turning cycle, a simulated jump rope carried by said arms and arranged to pass beneath said feet when said figure jumps relative to said support and animating mechanisms for jumping said figure and turning said arms in timed relation to each other such that said figure will jump rope in a free-standing position, said animating mechanisms including energy-storing springs movable through a loading motion to store potential energy and through an unloading motion to impart the stored potential energy to said figure to jump the same relative to said support, powered means for charging said energy-storing springs, energy-releasing means operatively connected to said energy-storing springs for rapidly imparting said stored potential energy to said figure, arm-turning mechanisms operatively connected to said arms for rotating same through said circular path of travel, first means interconnecting said arm-turning mechanisms with said powered means for partially turning said arms through a portion of said circular path of travel in response to said loading motion and into a downwardly extending position in which said jump rope is forwardly of and positioned to pass beneath said feet and a second means interconnecting said arm-turning mechanisms with said energy-storing springs for rapidly turning said arms through the remainder of said circular path of travel in response to said unloading motion of said energy-storing springs. 